Update 4:15 p.m.: We know the answer. Kellen Moore is a Heisman finalist.
We'll know the answer to that question at 4:00 p.m. MT. But until then, speculation!
Moore has been at the top of the Heisman race all season long and figures to have a good-to-great-to-predestined shot at landing himself a trip to New York City. The last non-BCS player to do that: Colt Brennan. The last non-BCS junior to do that: Nobody. Ever.
After the jump, I run down the list of those being considered for college football's most prestigious award. Feel free to leave your thoughts on who should be in and who should be out.
A note about Heisman finalists
How many will there be? Nobody knows. Well, at least I don't know. Typically there are anywhere from three to five finalists who make the trip to New York, and with Cam Newton being such a clear favorite, it's hard to tell what standards the Heisman committee will use to pare its invite list. Top four vote-getters? Most name recognition? Broad representation of height? Tokenism? If the last one's true, expect former Virginia Tech OL Ed Wang to be in attendance.
The Favorites
Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
2010 Statistics: Passing: 165-for-246, 2,589 yards, 28 TD, 6 INT.
Rushing: 232 carries, 1,399 yards, 20 TD
Cam Newton will most definitely be in New York, probably wearing a million-dollar suit of ostrich feathers that he "found at a Nordstrom Rack." As the prohibitive Heisman favorite, he's a shoo-in to get an invite.
LaMichael James, RB, Oregon
2010 Statistics: 281 carries, 1,682 yards, 21 TD
In the Heisman running all season long, James should easily make the trip to New York, especially now that his Ducks are playing for a national title. Pardon me. "National title."
Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State
2010 Statistics: 245-for-345, 3,506 yards, 33 TD, 5 INT
Considering that Moore has been at the top of Heisman lists all season, he should end up in New York this weekend. That said, college football has a strange obsession with marginalizing non-BCS teams and players. When Colt Brennan made it, he did so on an undefeated Hawaii team and during his senior season where he set national records galore. Kellen Moore would be doing so in a junior year where he set school records and led his team to the Las Vegas Bowl. It's obviously not the same, but I think the fact that Moore is even still in the discussion for the Heisman speaks volumes about his abilities as a college football player. Heisman pundits have realized this all year, so I don't see any reason to stop thinking so now.
Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
2010 Statistics: 245-for-325, 2,945 yards, 25 TD, 7 INT
Thanks to Stanford's great season (only loss was to Oregon), Luck has really come on as a Heisman candidate of late, and some are projecting him to finish second on Saturday night. Sure hope he gets invited then.
The Contenders
Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
2010 Statistics: 102 receptions, 1,665 yards, 18 TD
Is being the best wide receiver in college football enough to get you an invite to the Heisman? It hasn't been in years past, but you never know.
Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas
2010 Statistics: 221-for-333, 3,188 yards, 29 TD, 10 INT
I'd imagine that if Mallett were to head to New York, he would do so at the expense of Kellen Moore. There's just no reason to have four quarterbacks there. That said, it would be a big upset for this to happen.
The Longshots
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Colin Kaepernick, QB, Nevada: Graham Watson made me put his name here!
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A.J. Green, WR, Georgia: ESPN analysts are voting for him, so I guess he's worth consideration.
- Andy Dalton, QB, TCU: Dalton is a great player and the QB on the nation's No. 3 team. Why is Jason Whitlock not writing about ginger bias right now?
Your turn
Who do you think will be showing up in New York on Saturday? Will we have four finalists? Will the world come to an end if Kellen Moore isn't one of them? Share your thoughts in the comments.